2006 News Releases

EPA Begins Removal of Hazardous Chemicals at Custom Plating Site

PHILADELPHIA -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin a removal of hazardous chemicals from the Custom Plating and Polishing Site, located at 1428 Ohio Avenue, Dunbar, West Virginia.

After the facility closed in September, 2005, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) conducted an assessment and found hazardous chemicals abandoned in the building. At that time, WVDEP asked EPA to provide assistance. EPA conducted a more extensive assessment and determined that immediate actions need to be taken to remove these chemicals. A complete description of the site conditions and the chemicals are available on the EPA website www.epaosc.net/custom.

According to the EPA's On-Scene Coordinator Bob Kelly, “EPA's Emergency Response program allows us to take action to minimize potential exposure to hazardous chemicals. Local residents will be notified immediately if EPA discovers a need for additional action to be taken.”

The EPA activities at the site will include:

$ operating an office on site from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the duration of this action -- citizens with questions are welcome.

$ removing of all hazardous chemicals that are in vats or improper containers.

$ transporting them to a certified disposal facility.

$ removing all liquids in pipes and dismantling the operation.

Workers will be wearing protective clothing while they work on the site because they will be working very closely with hazardous chemicals. Protective clothing will include masks, white suits, boots and gloves. These protective items are required for workers because they work with hazardous materials on a consistent basis and therefore have a greater chance of prolonged exposure to chemicals than the average citizen.

In order to protect local citizens, EPA will:

$ maintain a site boundary along the property to prevent nearby residents from contact exposure,

$ conduct air monitoring to insure that no gases are being released in the environment, and

$ remove drums from the site to eliminate potential exposure from direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion.

For additional information, contact On-Scene Coordinator Bob Kelly at 215-814-3268 or kelly.robertj@epa.gov or Community Involvement Coordinator Larry Johnson at 215-814-3239.